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When is the Best Time to Ski? A Month-by-Month Guide
WHEN ARE THE BEST TIMES TO GO SKIING IN EUROPE
If you know anything about me, you know I believe that if you’re lucky enough to be in the mountains, you’re lucky enough!
Having said that, if you are looking to book your first family ski holiday or taking control of a group of ski friends, knowing what to expect at different times of the year can really help you plan the perfect ski holiday.
When you’re reading through these monthly ski guides, think about the following points, which will help you make the right decision for when to book the best ski holiday for your family.
- Budget – what are your limitations? Do you have any?!
- Timing – are you restricted to traveling during children’s holidays?
- Snow conditions – are you aiming for some off-piste and back-country exploration? Or just to cruise the pistes with little skiers.
- Alpine atmosphere – are you looking for a good après ski party? Or a quiet ski holiday, perhaps with some long sunny lunches thrown in?
Early Season – first weeks of December Skiing
The early season is a great time to go skiing for those who want to avoid the Christmas crowds and *fingers crossed!* enjoy the fresh powder. However, it's important to note that the ski resorts are all open on different weekends, so it's best to check ahead of time.
Additionally, the snow conditions are not as consistent as later in the season. While early December can be amazing, we have seen a slower start to the snowfall in recent years. So think about looking at higher altitude resorts where the conditions are more “guaranteed.” So in La Plagne, for example, I would recommend Plagne Centre or Belle Plagne over Mont Chavin or MontAlbert in the valley. You can read more about what to expect in La Plagne for December here to make a more informed decision.
A real bonus of the uncertainty in snow conditions is that you can find some real bargains for ski holiday accommodation as companies are keen to fill these early weeks. So don’t be afraid to ask about early-season discounts to see what’s available. One thing to be aware of is that if you are heading to a catered chalet, this is often the first week the chalets are open, meaning that the chalet staff can be quite nervous. So be nice!
Another thing to help you book a budget ski holiday is that lift pass prices are often discounted in the first week(s) of a resort opening. So check with the ski resort lift pass office to see what discounts you can find.
And, of course, if you have the freedom to travel at the last minute, you can scoop up some fantastic last-minute deals. So keep an eye on the snow conditions and book when the snow falls.
December – Christmas and New Year ski holidays!
All the above about the snow conditions apply for the Christmas and New Year weeks. But as we cross into these weeks, the resorts are much busier. Having said that, Christmas and New Year are still quieter than the February half-term holidays.
Expect a fun and festive atmosphere in your ski resort, with lots of Christmas and New Year celebrations put on, including concerts, shows, fireworks, and, of course, visits from Father Christmas.
Accommodation prices will be high, but there is still the possibility of finding last-minute offers and discounts.
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January skiing: what to expect
January is typically considered by the ski resort locals as some of the best weeks to go skiing. January snow conditions are usually at their best, with very cold temperatures and high snowfall levels. The slopes are usually quieter as the children (and their parents!) head back to school.
January skiing in Europe is when we generally see a lot more adults and friend groups heading to the ski resorts. Which can make for a great après ski atmosphere.
As mentioned above, January is typically very cold, we’re talking -20C, so make sure you pack accordingly with lots of layers. This ultimate packing guide might be just what you’re looking for. And find out more about La Plagne in January here.
What is February skiing like?
February is typically the most popular time to go skiing, as the schools break up across Europe and the ski families head to the ski slopes. This has several repercussions:
Prices – of everything! – go up from ski transfers to ski lessons, accommodation, and family ski childcare. You will be paying a premium for all ski resort services throughout the February ½ term holiday weeks.
Ski school groups are incredibly busy and are booked out far ahead of arrival dates. I would fully recommend booking everything in advance as soon as you know your dates.
Accommodation prices can be thousands of pounds more than they were the week before. Which really hurts your ski pocket! We are seeing more and more families choosing to take their children out of school and travel a week earlier or later to avoid these crushing February ski prices. As a result, the shoulder weeks of the February half terms are getting busier.
February snow conditions are usually great. The pistes will be well-groomed and hard-packed but not icy. Perfect for beginner skiers and young children to learn on.
March Skiing: Spring ski holidays
Spring skiing is a great option for those who want to enjoy warmer weather and longer days on the slopes. The snow fall might not be as consistent, but there are often great deals on lift tickets and accommodations. It's also a great time to enjoy après-ski activities and events.
Something to think about if you are traveling with children: the warmer temperatures are much friendlier for little skiers, making spring skiing a great idea for that first family ski holiday and introducing your little skiers to the snow. However, with the sometimes softer, slushier snow, it is harder for little legs to push through the snow, resulting in less distance-covered but tired ski children and some mountain meltdowns! On the plus side, there is usually a lot more availability when it comes to family ski childcare solutions or for booking ski chalets and/or ski holidays with childcare included.
To overcome this, have a look at higher altitude resorts, like La Plagne, where the snow conditions are more consistent and will remain hard-packed on the pistes much longer. More about the La Plagne snow conditions in March here.
April Skiing: Easter Ski holidays
Late-season skiing is a great option for those who want to avoid crowds and enjoy warmer weather. However, it's important to note that not all ski resorts stay open to the end of April – again, it’s the higher altitude ski resorts that will stay open the longest: La Plagne, Tignes, and Val Thorens as they will still have the best snow conditions at that time. Having said that, the snow conditions are also less consistent.
As the resorts are a lot quieter – in La Plagne 2023, the last 2 weeks of the ski season ran at 15% capacity! – there are always ski lift pass reductions. So you can save quite a bit on lift passes. The same is true for ski accommodations, with companies looking to fill these quieter weeks, so make sure to ask for any discounts they can do.
A lot of ski resorts have spring festivals and events happening throughout the mountain, so it can be a really fun time to visit. In La Plagne, we have the Subli’Cimes event, which is brilliant and completely free.
That’s La Plagne & what to expect skiing in Europe over each month
I hope this guide helps. You can find a lot more detail on what to expect from each month of skiing in Europe in this series of blogs I have created. I’ve linked to the snow reports from each month so you can see what the snow is really like. Plus, check out these other articles for some top tips on:
- How to find and book the best family ski holiday
- The ultimate guide for family ski childcare solutions
- How to book a budget ski holiday without compromising on fun and luxury.
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